My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children

cake is

with her hand, she lifted a knife and a

candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she

the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said,

sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

must close her eyes

must blow out

head to indicate to Julian that there was no

lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or

wasn’t even at table height yet looking

made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began

thank you!” their parents instructed,

faces. Just like that, the strangers in

light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the

her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and

never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it

regretting bringing up the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately,

she turned and

apartment and about to close the

was propped

up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like

out on business?

house and shut the door before surveying the

“I see you’ve been getting along fine without

she took two steps back. Why are

pulled off his necktie and

“I suppose you wouldn’t want

her, forcing her

had no idea what she

pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged